Hubbry Logo
Ram tankRam tankMain
Open search
Ram tank
Community hub
Ram tank
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Ram tank
Ram tank
Ram tank
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

The Ram was a cruiser tank designed and built by Canada in the Second World War, based on the U.S. M3 Medium tank chassis. Due to standardization on the American Sherman tank for frontline units, it was used exclusively for training purposes for the Ontario regiment and was never used in combat as a gun tank. The chassis was used for several other combat roles however, such as a flamethrower tank, observation post and armoured personnel carrier.

Key Information

Development

[edit]
Ram Mk.II (early production) tanks during the war

Even before the loss of the majority of the United Kingdom's tank force in France in 1940 after Dunkirk, it was recognised that tank production in the UK at the start of the war was insufficient and capacity in the US was taken for British needs.[2] So it was necessary that if Canada was to equip with tanks they would have to be manufactured locally.[3] In June 1940 the Canadian Pacific Railway's Angus Shops in Montreal, as the only large firm with spare capacity, had received a contract to produce 300 partially fitted out Valentine tanks for the British; this was followed later with one for 488 complete tanks for Canada.[4] However the Valentine was an infantry tank and Canada required a cruiser tank for its recently formed armoured division. In the end 1,420 Valentines were produced by CPR, most of which were supplied to the USSR. Although the Valentine used a number of American produced parts, its reliance on British components, difficulties in adapting its manufacture to North American methods, and other problems such as limitations to the availability of the right type of armour plate affected Valentine production. The Canadian Joint Committee on Tank Development concluded, in September 1940, that its cruiser tank should be based on a US rather than a British design.[5] This would be quicker and allow it to use components already in production for the US design.[6]

The Canadians were interested in production of the M3 Medium. However the M3 was an interim design; its main armament was in a side sponson, it was tall and under-armoured, and it was clear that it would be unsatisfactory for Canadian and British use. In early 1941 the Canadian Interdepartmental Tank Committee adopted a compromise: to develop a superior design locally but still using the M3 chassis.[7] The British Tank Mission, which was involved in the modifications of the M3 for British use, contributed a tank expert, L.E. Carr, to design a new hull and turret for the Canadian tank which could take a 6-pounder (57 mm) or 75mm gun while retaining the lower hull of the US M3 Medium.[8]

The new hull was cast rather than welded or riveted and lower than that of the M3. The pilot model's turret and upper hull casting was produced in the US by General Steel Castings and later they aided the set up of Canadian production.[3] Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) was chosen to make the new Canadian M.3 Cruiser Tank (as it was then known) and was given the funding to set up the Canadian Tank Arsenal at Longue Pointe. MLW was a subsidiary of the American Locomotive Company, which had experience in producing large castings and Alco was producing cast hulls for the M3 Medium.

Canadian engineers ran into many challenges when developing the tank as Canada had never produced a tank before. Along with the lack of knowledge, it took time for Canadian factories to gear up for the production of many of the Ram's components.

Initially Canada relied heavily on United States and British materials to complete the construction of the Ram. Most critically the Ram's Continental engine and transmissions were available only in the USA and these were always in short supply. The Ram tank was developed with a turret which unlike the US M3 could traverse the main armament 360 degrees. Its fully cast armoured steel hull gave reinforced protection and, with the driver's seat repositioned to meet British requirements for right-hand drive,[3] lower height; while the U.S.-designed chassis and power train ensured its overall reliability.[9]

Although it could mount a US 75 mm gun, the preferred armament for the Ram was the QF 6 pounder which had superior armour-piercing capability. As neither the 6 pounder nor the Canadian-designed mounting for it was immediately available, early production (50 tanks) were fitted with the 40 mm QF 2-pounder gun.[8][10]

Ram tanks produced by Montreal Locomotive Works.

A prototype Ram was completed in June 1941 and general production of the Ram I began in November of the same year. The Ram I and early Ram IIs were fitted with side doors in the hull and an auxiliary machine gun turret in the front. The former weakened the hull and complicated production, and the doors and the machine gun turret were discarded in later modifications. By February 1942 production had switched to the Ram II model with a 6-pounder gun and continued until July 1943. In March 1942 a decision had been made to change production over to the automotively-similar M4A1 Sherman tank for all British and Canadian units. Ram production continued due to delay in starting the new M4 production lines and a reluctance to let the plant lie idle.[3] By July 1943 1,948 vehicles plus 84 artillery observation post (OP) vehicles had been completed.

The official Canadian history of the war compares the Ram to the Ross rifle as examples of unsuccessful Canadian weapon designs. It states that given the Sherman's superiority, in retrospect it would probably have been better for the United States to produce more tanks, and for Canada to have focused on manufacturing more transport vehicles such as the successful Canadian Military Pattern truck designs. The Sexton self-propelled gun based on the Ram chassis, however, was very successful.[11]

Combat history

[edit]
Ram Mk.II – late production

As built, the Ram was never used in combat as a tank, but was used for crew training in Canada and Great Britain up to mid 1944. The observation post vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carrier, gun tractor, and munitions carrier versions of the Ram saw considerable active service in North West Europe. These tanks were mainly rebuilt by Canadian Army workshops in the United Kingdom. Conversions of Ram tanks with the Wasp II flamethrower gear were used by the 5th Canadian Armoured Brigade in the Netherlands in 1945.[12]

Export

[edit]

Netherlands

[edit]
A Ram encased in the Dutch IJssel Line, still present in 2007

In 1945 the Royal Netherlands Army got permission from the Canadian government to take free possession of all Ram tanks in army dumps on Dutch territory.[citation needed] Those not already converted into Kangaroos were used to equip the 1st and 2nd Tank Battalion (1e en 2e Bataljon Vechtwagens), the very first Dutch tank units. These had a nominal organic strength of 53 each. However it proved to be impossible to ready enough tanks to attain this strength because the vehicles were in a very poor state of maintenance. In 1945 it was also reported that the Dutch government was negotiating the purchase of 44 Ram tanks that were stationed in England alongside the purchase of other military equipment of Canadian origin.[13][14][15] In 1947 the UK provided 44 Ram tanks from its stocks, that were in a better condition.[citation needed] Forty of these had been rebuilt with the British 75 mm gun; four were OP/Command vehicles with a dummy gun. This brought the operational total for that year to just 73, including two Mark Is.[citation needed] In 1950 only fifty of these were listed as present. The Ram tanks were replaced, together with the Sherman tanks, by Centurion tanks beginning in 1953.[16] Some Ram tanks were used in the 1950s as static pillboxes in the IJssel Line, their hulls dug in and embedded within two feet of concrete.

Survivors

[edit]

One Dutch Ram tank, an OP/Command vehicle, survives at the Dutch Cavalry Museum in Amersfoort.

A Ram tank modified as a Kangaroo serves as a memorial to the 1st Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment in Mill, Netherlands.

Ram tanks can also be seen at the Canadian War Museum (the Kangaroo version), in Worthington Park at Canadian Forces Base Borden, in front of the Beatty Street Drill Hall in Vancouver, and at the Bovington Tank Museum (both a tank [17] and a Kangaroo[18])

A Ram Tank can also be seen outside of the Armoured Trial and Development Unit based at Bovington Camp.

Variants

[edit]
Tank Cruiser, Ram Mk I
Ordnance QF 2 pounder / 40mm gun (171 rounds).
Tank Cruiser, Ram Mk II
Early production — QF 6 pounder Mk III (57 mm L/43) gun with 92 rounds.
Late production — QF 6 pounder Mk V (57 mm L/50) gun. Auxiliary turret and sponson door removed. Browning .303 in (7.7 mm) machine gun fitted in ball mount.
Badger
A flamethrower equipped tank. The first Badgers were Ram Kangaroos with the Wasp II flamethrowing equipment (as used on the Universal Carrier) installed in place of the bow MG. Later models were turreted Rams with the equipment in place of the main gun.
Ram Kangaroo
Ram with turret removed to give an armoured personnel carrier capable of carrying 11 battle-ready troops (or -- more often -- as many as could fit) as well as the two crew. See Kangaroo.
Ram OP/Command (84)
An armoured vehicle to function as a mobile observation posts for the Forward Observation Officers (FOO) of Sexton self-propelled gun units, based on Ram Mk II. The gun was replaced by a dummy, and two Wireless Set No. 19 radios were fitted with a No. 58 set. Crew of six. They were built from the last 84 Rams off the production line in 1943.[3]
Ram GPO
Like OP but with special equipment for "Gun Position Officers" of self-propelled artillery regiments. Had Tannoy loudspeakers mounted.
Sexton "25-pdr, SP, Tracked"
Self-propelled artillery vehicle armed with QF 25 pounder gun in open-topped superstructure.
Ram Ammunition Carrier
Also called "Wallaby", an armoured ammunition supply vehicle, converted as for the Kangaroo but used to carried 25-pdr ammunition for Sexton.
Ram ARV Mk I
Armoured recovery vehicle created by adding winch gear added to Ram Mark I .
Ram ARV Mk II
Armoured Recovery Vehicle based on Ram Mk II. Jibs and earth spade added, turret replaced by dummy.
Ram Gun Tower
Armoured artillery tractor for use with Ordnance QF 17 pounder towed Anti-tank gun.

In addition, a Ram was used in an attempt to produce a self-propelled QF 3.7 inch AA gun but got no further than testing.[19]

  • Ram Mk I
    Ram Mk I
  • Ram Mk II – early production
    Ram Mk II – early production
  • Ram Mk II – later production, with Mk III QF 6 pounder but still with auxiliary turret
    Ram Mk II – later production, with Mk III QF 6 pounder but still with auxiliary turret
  • Ram OP/Command tank at Amersfoort
    Ram OP/Command tank at Amersfoort
  • Ram Kangaroo at The Tank Museum, Bovington
    Ram Kangaroo at The Tank Museum, Bovington
  • Sexton I
    Sexton I
  • Ram 3.7 inch during testing
    Ram 3.7 inch during testing

See also

[edit]

Tanks of comparable role, performance, and era

Other Commonwealth Tanks of the Second World War

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ram tank

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Ram tank was a designed and manufactured in during the Second World War, utilizing a modified chassis from the American to create a more effective design with a fully traversing turret and the elimination of the vulnerable hull-mounted . Developed in response to the urgent need for armoured vehicles following the British evacuation at in 1940, the Ram addressed the M3's tall silhouette and limited turret traverse by repositioning the driver to the right side and incorporating Canadian-engineered improvements. Production began in 1941 at the , with 50 Ram Mk I variants armed with a 40 mm two-pounder gun and 1,899 Ram Mk II models featuring a 57 mm six-pounder with a stabilizer for enhanced accuracy. The Ram measured 5.79 meters in length, 2.87 meters in width, and 2.66 meters in height, with a combat weight of 29,000 kg, making it a robust platform for its era. Its armour ranged from 25 mm to 87 mm in thickness, providing protection against anti- weapons of the time, while the main armament consisted of the 57 mm QF 6-pounder gun capable of firing 92 rounds, supported by three 7.62 mm (.30 caliber) machine guns with 4,000 rounds of ammunition. Powered by a Continental R-975 radial engine producing 400 horsepower, it achieved a top speed of 40 km/h on roads and an operational range of 232 km, operated by a crew of five. Although the Ram never saw frontline combat as a tank—due to the adoption of the standardized M4 Sherman in 1942—it played a crucial role in training Canadian armoured units in the United Kingdom, where 1,671 were shipped before production ended in 1943. In the Normandy campaign of 1944, a limited number were employed by Canadian forces for reconnaissance missions and as command posts, supplementing Sherman tanks without engaging in direct tank-versus-tank battles. The vehicle's greatest legacy lay in its adaptable chassis, which was repurposed for several successful variants, including the Sexton self-propelled 25-pounder gun used extensively in northwest Europe, the Ram Observation Post for artillery coordination, and the turretless Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier that provided vital infantry transport during operations like the Battle of the Scheldt. These conversions ensured the Ram's influence on Allied operations, marking it as Canada's only domestically designed and built tank of the war, despite its limited direct combat role.

Development and Design

Origins and Requirements

In the wake of the Fall of and the in 1940, Britain faced acute shortages of armored vehicles for the Commonwealth forces, prompting Canada to expand its nascent munitions industry to support the Allied war effort. The Department of Munitions and Supply, established in 1939 under Minister , played a pivotal role in coordinating this expansion, initiating projects for domestic production of tanks to alleviate reliance on imports from Britain and the , where orders were prioritized for other allies. Senior military leaders, including General A. G. L. McNaughton, who served as in the interwar period and commanded Canadian forces early in the war, advocated for mechanized capabilities that aligned with these strategic imperatives. Canadian armored vehicle development accelerated in 1940–1941, with the Ram tank project emerging as a response to the need for a suitable for rapid production in . Influenced by the American M3 Medium tank's reliable and —already in limited supply to —the design incorporated British concepts to enhance mobility and firepower, addressing the M3's drawbacks such as its high silhouette and limited sponson-mounted gun traverse. A key decision was the adoption of a two-man turret, which improved by reducing crew size compared to larger three-man designs, allowing for a lower profile and better balance while maintaining combat effectiveness. The first prototype was completed in July 1941, with production beginning in November 1941 at the . Specific requirements emphasized compatibility with British armament standards, including provision for a 6-pounder (57 mm) gun to counter evolving German threats, while adhering to a 30-ton weight limit to ensure transportability across North American rail and road networks. The design prioritized industrial feasibility, leveraging U.S.-sourced components like the Continental R-975 for the , enabling at facilities such as the without extensive retooling. This approach reflected Canada's strategic goal of contributing over 2,000 tanks to the by mid-1943, though the Ram ultimately served more in training roles due to the influx of superior models like the Sherman.

Technical Specifications

The Ram tank, adapted from the , incorporated a compact layout optimized for roles, with dimensions of 19 feet (5.8 meters) in length, 9 feet 5 inches (2.87 meters) in width, and 8 feet 9 inches (2.67 meters) in height. These measurements contributed to its relatively low silhouette compared to some contemporaries, aiding maneuverability in varied terrains. Weighing approximately 29 tons in combat configuration, the tank balanced protection and mobility effectively for its era. It was powered by a Continental R-975 9-cylinder radial engine delivering 400 horsepower at 2,400 rpm, enabling a maximum road speed of 25 miles per hour (40 km/h) and an operational range of 144 miles (232 km) on internal fuel stores. The suspension utilized a vertical system (VVSS), featuring five dual road wheels per side to absorb shocks and maintain traction across uneven ground. The standard crew consisted of five members: , gunner, loader, , and co-driver/hull gunner, allowing for efficient operation of its systems during training and potential field use. To contextualize its capabilities, the following table compares key specifications of the Ram tank against contemporaries like the American M3 Grant (a direct design predecessor) and the British Cromwell :
SpecificationRam TankM3 GrantCromwell Tank
Weight (tons)293028
Length (ft/m)19 / 5.818.5 / 5.6420.8 / 6.35
Width (ft/m)9.5 / 2.878.7 / 2.659.5 / 2.91
Height (ft/m)8.8 / 2.6710.3 / 3.148.2 / 2.49
Engine Power (hp)400400600
Top Speed (mph/km/h)25 / 4026 / 4240 / 64
Range (miles/km)144 / 232120 / 193165 / 265
Crew565
These metrics highlight the Ram's similarities to the M3 Grant in and weight while approaching the Cromwell's , though with less speed due to its output.

Armament and Protection

The Ram tank's primary armament consisted of the British Ordnance QF 6-pounder anti-tank gun mounted in a two-man turret, designed to engage German medium tanks like the Panzer IV at typical combat ranges. This 57 mm gun, specifically the Mk III variant with an L/43 barrel length, carried 92 rounds of ammunition and provided effective armor-piercing capability, with solid-shot AP rounds penetrating approximately 84 mm of armor at 500 yards on a perpendicular surface—sufficient to defeat the frontal armor of most Panzer IV variants encountered in 1942-1943. Complementing the main gun were secondary weapons, including a 0.30-inch (7.62 mm) for close-range anti-infantry fire and a hull-mounted 0.30-inch in the assistant driver's position, with an optional roof-mounted 0.30-inch for anti-aircraft defense; these were supplied with around 4,000 rounds total. The armament suite addressed wartime needs for versatile anti-tank and , though the 6-pounder's limited high-explosive shell options—such as the HE round with a 0.91 kg filling—restricted its utility against soft targets compared to later 75 mm guns. The tank's protection emphasized frontal defense through layered rolled homogeneous armor, with the turret front reaching up to 80 mm thick and the hull upper glacis plate measuring 50-89 mm, sloped at 56 degrees to increase effective thickness against incoming projectiles. Hull sides and rear were thinner at 38-50 mm, while the turret sides and rear provided 38-44 mm, prioritizing survival in head-on engagements typical of Allied armored . This layout, influenced by North American production techniques, offered respectable resistance to 50 mm anti-tank guns at 500 yards but was vulnerable to heavier German weapons like the 75 mm Pak 40 beyond close range. Overall, the armor scheme balanced weight constraints with tactical requirements for crew protection during training and potential , achieving a combat weight of about 30 tons without compromising mobility unduly. Fire control systems were rudimentary by mid-war standards, relying on manual turret traverse via a hydraulic assist and a basic —likely the No. 15 or equivalent—for the gunner, with elevation ranging from -10 to +20 degrees and traverse of 360 degrees. These limitations, including no stabilization and restricted depression angles that hindered over obstacles, reflected the Ram's intended role in open terrain engagements rather than urban or hull-down positions. Ammunition versatility included armor-piercing capped ballistic cap (APCBC) rounds for improved penetration against sloped armor, alongside high-explosive shells for versatility, though tungsten-core APDS rounds were not widely issued to Ram units due to shortages.

Production and Deployment

Manufacturing Details

Production of the Ram tank commenced in late 1941 at the in , , with the majority of output occurring from 1942 onward, culminating in a total of 1,949 units (comprising 50 Ram Mk I and 1,899 Ram Mk II) completed by the summer of 1943. The facility, originally a manufacturer, adapted its lines to tank assembly under government contracts to bolster Allied armored vehicle supplies. This effort marked one of 's earliest forays into heavy armored vehicle production, aligning with broader wartime mobilization to produce over 2,000 tanks and related vehicles by war's end. The assembly process relied heavily on imported components to overcome domestic limitations in scale and expertise. Hulls and turrets were cast in the United States at facilities like the General Steel Castings Corporation's Commonwealth Plant in , due to the size exceeding Canadian casting capabilities at the time. These were then shipped to for integration with other parts, including the American-sourced Continental R-975 radial gasoline engine providing 400 horsepower, transmissions, and tracks derived from the U.S. M3 design. British-designed elements, such as the initial 2-pounder or later 6-pounder main , were mounted in the turret, requiring precise alignment during final assembly to ensure operational reliability. Several challenges impeded efficient production. Supply chain delays arose from the integration of British gun components, particularly the switch to the 6-pounder Ordnance QF 57 mm gun, which postponed full output as shipments from the were sporadic amid wartime priorities. Machine tool shortages further slowed manufacturing, as lacked sufficient specialized equipment for precision work on armored components. Labor constraints, exacerbated by wartime demands across industries, prompted the recruitment of women into factory roles, shifting operations toward more streamlined U.S.-style methods to accelerate throughput despite initial inexperience with tank fabrication. The Ram tank program significantly contributed to the expansion of Canada's wartime industrial base, fostering skills in heavy engineering and assembly that supported subsequent projects like and Sexton vehicles, while generating employment and infrastructure investments valued in the millions of dollars.

Initial Deployment and Training Role

The Ram tank began entering service with Canadian units in late 1941, with initial allocations supporting the expansion of armored training programs across and the . By early 1942, deliveries had ramped up, enabling the equipping of regiments such as Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), which conducted two years of intensive training in using the Canadian-built vehicles. These early deployments focused on domestic and overseas preparation rather than immediate combat readiness, as the tanks were integrated into regimental and divisional exercises to build crew proficiency. Primarily employed at key training centers like Camp Borden in , the Ram served as a surrogate for the tank, sharing similar hull dimensions, turret ring size, and automotive components that facilitated a smooth transition for crews to frontline equipment. Its mechanical reliability and ease of maintenance made it ideal for simulating Sherman operations in gunnery, driving, and tactical maneuvers, with units such as the conducting brief familiarization courses in early 1943 before re-equipping. By 1944, nearly all of the approximately 1,950 produced Rams were dedicated to crew instruction, supporting the preparation of thousands of personnel across armored divisions and contributing significantly to their operational readiness for overseas deployment. Beyond direct crew training, Rams fulfilled various non-combat support roles within Canadian forces, including as observation posts (Ram OP variants with dummy guns for coordination), target towing vehicles during live-fire exercises, and improvised recovery platforms like the Ram beach armored recovery vehicle prototype. The preference for U.S. Shermans, driven by Allied standardization efforts and the Ram's armament limitations against evolving threats, confined these tanks to rear-area duties and ensured their extensive use in accelerating the buildup of experienced armored units for campaigns like .

Operational History

Combat Engagements

The Ram tank saw no combat use during World War II, primarily serving as a training vehicle for Canadian forces rather than in frontline roles. Although issued to the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade in March 1943 as a replacement for Churchill tanks, the brigade transitioned to Sherman tanks by May 1943 in preparation for deployment, ensuring no Ram tanks participated in the Sicilian campaign starting July 10, 1943. This rapid replacement was driven by logistical standardization and the preference for Sherman tanks in overseas operations, leaving the Ram confined to home defense and training establishments. No verified records exist of Ram tanks engaging in direct combat with German forces. The tank's obsolescence against upgraded German armor, including vulnerability to 88 mm guns, contributed to its exclusion from active theaters, with units withdrawn for conversion to other roles by late 1943. While the gun tank variants saw no combat losses, the Ram chassis was employed in operational roles through conversions, such as observation posts used by Canadian forces in the Normandy campaign of 1944 for and command purposes.

Export and Foreign Service

Following , a number of Ram tanks were transferred to allied nations for training and defensive roles, with the receiving the largest allocation. In 1946–1947, the supplied 44 Ram tanks to the Royal Netherlands Army, consisting of 40 Ram II models armed with 6-pounder guns, 2 Ram I Armoured Recovery Vehicles, and 2 Ram 2D command tanks. Additional surplus Ram tanks were provided, bringing the total to 73 vehicles. The Dutch Rams were operated by units including the Prins Bernhard Brigade, but saw no major combat deployments abroad; instead, they were employed for and static defense. By the early , the vehicles were phased out due to mechanical wear and obsolescence, with many embedded as concrete-filled pillboxes along the IJssel Line defensive barrier and replaced by more modern tanks. Other exports were minor, including a small number of Ram tanks to for purposes in the late . The also received Ram tanks as aids in 1943, using them until mid-1944 before converting many to other roles such as posts. Over 1,400 Ram tanks were shipped to the UK during the war, with additional post-war transfers to nations like the .

Variants and Conversions

Armored Personnel Carrier Versions

The Ram Kangaroo was developed in 1944 as an armored personnel carrier by converting surplus Ram tank hulls, primarily to address the need for protected transport during the later stages of the Second World War. These conversions involved removing the turret and superstructure to create space for troops, installing a rear ramp for rapid entry and exit, and modifying the interior to accommodate 10-12 infantrymen plus a crew of two (driver and commander). The design retained the original Ram's Continental R-975 radial producing 400 horsepower and frontal armor up to 76 mm thick, providing effective protection against small arms and shrapnel while maintaining mobility for close support. Additional modifications included pintle mounts for a .30-caliber or sometimes a .50-caliber for , enhancing the vehicle's role in accompanying assaults. In combat, the Ram Kangaroos proved invaluable for delivering under fire, first seeing action during the Normandy breakout in August 1944 as part of the 1st Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment. They played a key role in , where they transported troops across open ground to support the advance toward Falaise, and later provided mobile cover for during the Scheldt offensive in late 1944, enabling Canadian forces to clear vital ports despite muddy terrain and German defenses. The vehicle's speed was approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) on roads unloaded, though this reduced to around 20 mph when fully loaded with troops and equipment, reflecting the added weight of roughly 23.5 tons in battle configuration. Production of the Ram Kangaroos was carried out in Canadian Army workshops in the , with over 100 units converted from existing Ram tanks by early 1945 to replace earlier Priest-based Kangaroos. Total conversions reached approximately 500, equipping one Canadian and one British armored carrier for operations through the end of the war in Europe. These vehicles marked an innovative use of obsolete tank chassis, influencing post-war designs by demonstrating the effectiveness of tracked, armored troop carriers in tactics.

Self-Propelled Gun Adaptations

The Sexton self-propelled gun was developed in 1943 as a Canadian adaptation of the Ram tank hull to provide mobile artillery support for British Commonwealth forces during World War II. The Sexton I variant utilized the Ram chassis directly, with the turret removed and replaced by an open-top superstructure mounting the Ordnance QF 25-pounder gun-howitzer; only 125 units of this mark were produced before shifting to the more readily available Grizzly chassis for the Sexton II. Overall, 2,150 Sextons were manufactured between 1943 and 1945 at the Montreal Locomotive Works, with approximately 2,025 being the Sexton II model, which included minor improvements such as additional rear storage for batteries and a generator. The primary armament was the 87.6 mm (3.45-inch) gun-howitzer, capable of firing a 25-pound high-explosive shell to a maximum range of about 12,000 yards using standard charges, or up to 13,400 yards with super charges. The vehicle carried 105 rounds of ammunition, primarily high-explosive, stored in rear lockers and ready racks, and was operated by a crew of six: , gunner, loader, driver, wireless operator, and ammunition handler. Secondary armament consisted of two .303-inch Bren machine guns for self-defense. Sextons were deployed with the in North-West Europe starting from the in June 1944, equipping regiments of British, Canadian, Polish, and other Allied units. They played a crucial role in providing rapid support during key operations, including the closure of the in August 1944, where batteries from units like the 1st Polish Armoured Division and Canadian regiments delivered concentrated barrages to trap retreating German forces. Later, Sextons supported the Allied advance across the Rhine River in March 1945, maintaining mobility and firepower during the rapid exploitation phase into . The Sexton's tracked design offered significant advantages in mobility over towed 25-pounders, allowing it to keep pace with armored divisions across varied and reposition quickly for or close support. However, its open-top mounting limited protection against shrapnel and air attack, and the fixed traverse restricted its effectiveness in direct-fire roles compared to fully enclosed tank destroyers.

Other Modifications

The Ram Badger was a flamethrower variant developed in 1945 by converting Ram Kangaroo armored personnel carriers, replacing the main armament with a Wasp II projector mounted in the hull front. This adaptation aimed to provide close-support fire capability in urban and fortified areas, with the fed by fuel tanks carrying up to 300 imperial gallons for sustained operation. A total of 24 s were produced and deployed with units like The Regiment (Motor) starting in February 1945, seeing limited combat in the until the war's end, after which the project was not pursued further due to the cessation of hostilities. Several Ram tanks were converted into command and observation posts, primarily for artillery forward observation officers, by removing the turret and enhancing the hull with additional radio equipment for improved communication. These turretless vehicles, designated Ram OP/Command, retained the original armor and mobility while incorporating dummy gun fittings in some cases to maintain a low profile, allowing crews to direct fire support from forward positions. Approximately 84 such conversions were completed, mainly used in training roles within Canada and by Canadian forces in Europe, where they supported field artillery coordination without entering direct combat. Recovery vehicles based on surplus Ram hulls included the Ram ARV Mk I and Mk II, with the former featuring a simple winch and A-frame for towing, while the latter added a turret-mounted jib crane and an earth spade for stabilization and light earth-moving tasks. Around 20 units were produced from existing chassis, primarily for workshop and training recovery operations rather than frontline use, as the end of the war reduced the need for additional specialized vehicles. Experimental trials on the Ram chassis explored anti-aircraft capabilities through the OQF 3.7-inch AA mounting, a that replaced the turret with a twin 3.7-inch for both aerial and ground targets, tested in during 1944 but abandoned due to the gun's excessive weight compromising mobility and the arrival of more suitable Allied platforms. Dozer blade attachments were also trialed on select hulls, integrated as rear spades on ARV prototypes for anchoring during recoveries, but limited adoption occurred because wartime priorities shifted away from further engineering variants by 1945.

Legacy

Post-War Assessment

The Ram tank's rapid production during World War II significantly bolstered Allied armored readiness, with manufacturing 1,949 units between 1941 and 1943, achieving rates of up to 10 tanks per day by mid-1942 through innovative welding techniques. This output provided essential training platforms for Canadian and British crews, compensating for initial shortages in modern tanks. Furthermore, the Ram's versatile enabled widespread repurposing, with a significant portion converted into support variants such as observation posts (84 units), armored personnel carriers (), and other roles; the Sexton self-propelled artillery, newly built on the Ram design, was produced in large numbers (2,150 total) for use in northwest Europe, extending the design's utility beyond its original cruiser role. Despite these advantages, the Ram exhibited notable weaknesses that limited its viability as a combat vehicle. By 1944, it was obsolete against heavy German tanks like the Panther and , vulnerable to 50mm and 75mm anti-tank guns due to inadequate armor and the 6-pounder gun's limited penetration at range. Mechanical reliability was further compromised by the Continental R-975 , which suffered from overheating, fuel line vibrations, and occasional fires during trials, though improvements in the Mk II variant mitigated some early issues. These factors, combined with the arrival of superior designs like the in 1942, ensured the Ram never entered frontline combat as a gun tank. The Ram holds historical significance as a symbol of Canadian industrial independence, marking the only tank fully designed and produced domestically during the war and fostering local manufacturing expertise in armor and components. This capability not only supported Allied efforts but also influenced post-war Canadian armored vehicle development through demonstrated chassis versatility. In modern assessments, the Ram is viewed as a successful interim solution that bridged early-war gaps, despite its flaws; analyses in the 2020s highlight its role in military history, with occasional restorations of surviving examples underscoring ongoing interest in its legacy. In 2022, a long-lost Ram tank was discovered abandoned in a British field, further emphasizing continued discoveries related to the vehicle.

Surviving Examples

Several intact examples of the Ram tank survive in museums, primarily in and the , serving as key artifacts for understanding Canadian armored vehicle production during . According to preserved armored vehicle databases, fewer than 30 complete or substantially complete Ram tanks and their variants exist worldwide, with most in static display or storage. In Canada, the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa houses a Ram Mk II Kangaroo armored personnel carrier, originally converted from a standard Ram hull for troop transport during the Normandy campaign; this example was restored to operational condition in the early 2010s and features period markings from the 1st Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment. Another intact Ram Mk II is preserved at the Worthington Tank Museum within Canadian Forces Base Borden, Ontario, where it represents early production models used for training by the Canadian Armoured Corps. A third Canadian example, a Ram Mk II lower hull originally modified as a snowplow post-war, is also held in storage at the Canadian War Museum. The preserves notable Ram variants at major institutions. The Bovington displays a Ram Mk II used as an evasive target tank (serial CT-159418), acquired on loan from in exchange for other vehicles, highlighting post-war training adaptations. Additionally, the museum holds a Ram APC in its reserve collection, built in 1942 and converted during wartime service. At the in , a Sexton self-propelled —based on the Ram and mounting a 25-pounder —stands as a representative of the artillery variants produced in large numbers for British and forces. In the , a single Ram OP/Command vehicle survives at the Cavalry Museum in , acquired for Dutch army training and serving briefly in the Indonesian War of Independence before preservation; this example retains its original 2-pounder turret adapted for duties. While Dutch forces operated a small number of Rams in during the late 1940s, no complete examples remain there, though partial remnants from that service are noted in regional military collections. Recent preservation efforts in the 2020s have focused on documentation and partial restorations, including digital imaging projects at institutions like the Bovington Tank Museum to create 3D models for educational and maintenance purposes, ensuring long-term accessibility without risking original components. Overall, these surviving Rams underscore the vehicle's role in Allied training and conversion programs rather than frontline combat.

References

  1. https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ram-tank
  2. https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/material/tank/mk-ii-ram-tank
  3. https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.php?armor_id=264
  4. https://wiki.wargaming.net/en/Tank:A62_Ram-II
  5. https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/department-of-munitions-and-supply
  6. https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/andrew-george-latta-mcnaughton
  7. https://www.junobeach.org/canada-in-wwii/articles/armoured-fighting-vehicles/canadian-built-tanks/
  8. https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/canada/ram-tank.php
  9. https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/canada/Ram_Cruiser_Tank.php
  10. https://ww2db.com/vehicle_spec.php?q=252
  11. https://tank-afv.com/ww2/canada/Ram_Cruiser_Tank.php
  12. https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/material/tank/mk-iv-cromwell
  13. http://www.wwiiequipment.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74:6-pounder-anti-tank-gun&catid=40:anti-tank&Itemid=58
  14. https://www.canada.ca/en/army/corporate/3-canadian-division/lord-strathconas-horse.html
  15. https://www.silverhawkauthor.com/post/armour-in-canada-ram-tank
  16. https://tankmuseum.ca/blog-post/ontr-tanks-of-second-world-war/
  17. https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/canada.php
  18. https://www.theshermantank.com/sherman/67-the-ram-the-shermans-awkward-canadian-cousin/
  19. https://www.flamesofwar.com/Default.aspx?tabid=112&art_id=4108
  20. https://www.silverhawkauthor.com/post/4th-canadian-armoured-division-1941-1945
  21. https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/vehicles/tanks/mainbattletanks.htm
  22. http://the.shadock.free.fr/Netherlands_AFVs.pdf
  23. http://the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving_Canadian_Ram_Tanks.pdf
  24. https://electriccanadian.com/forces/History_of_the_Kangaroos_1st_Canadian_Armoured_Carrier_Regiment.pdf
  25. https://tankmuseum.org/tank-nuts/tank-collection/ram-kangaroo
  26. https://tank-afv.com/ww2/canada/kangaroo-series.php
  27. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/kangaroo
  28. https://ditsong.org.za/en/the-sexton-self-propelled-25-pounder-gun/
  29. https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.php?armor_id=311
  30. https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/70000265
  31. https://www.junobeach.org/canada-in-wwii/articles/artillery/25-pounder-field-gunhowitzer/
  32. https://www.junobeach.org/canada-in-wwii/articles/artillery/self-propelled-artillery/
  33. https://theddaystory.com/d-day-in-80-objects/object-63-sexton-self-propelled-gun/
  34. https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205222194
  35. https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/canada/badger/
  36. https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/vehicles/flamethrowers/badger.htm
  37. http://panzerserra.blogspot.com/2015/01/ram-cruiser-tank-mk-i-mk-ii-early-mk-ii.html
  38. https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2-canada-oqf-3-7in-ram-mounting/
  39. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ram-tank
  40. https://spectrum.library.concordia.ca/979523/1/MR71093.pdf
  41. https://www.tankarchives.com/2023/02/anglo-canadian-cruiser.html
  42. https://www.warhistoryonline.com/tanks/canadian-ram-tank-discovery-2022.html
  43. https://preservedtanks.com/Default.aspx
  44. https://www.warmuseum.ca/articles/vehicle-collection
  45. https://preservedtanks.com/Profile.aspx?UniqueId=2491
  46. https://preservedtanks.com/Profile.aspx?UniqueID=2111
  47. https://army-guide.com/eng/museum_product483.html
  48. https://www.[reddit](/page/Reddit).com/r/TankPorn/comments/g8xp8y/canadian_ram_tanks_in_england_the_rams_never_saw/
  49. https://tankmuseum.org/what-to-see-and-do/our-galleries
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.